Ashley Cole admits he has already set his sights on earning another new deal at Chelsea having just agreed a one-year contract to stay at the club.

Standard Sport revealed earlier this month that the club still expected to agree terms on an extension despite reports elsewhere linking the 32-year-old with Manchester United and Paris Saint Germain.

Cole, who could have left on a free transfer at the end of this season, has agreed to adhere to the club’s new policy of only offering one-year deals for players over 30.

It means he will face the same situation next term but Cole, who has made 294 appearances and won seven major trophies since joining from Arsenal in 2006, hopes to stay at Stamford Bridge for as long as possible.

He said: “I just wanted to come here, be successful and win trophies.

“As a player you don’t really realise how many games you play in a season and to be nearly hitting 300 is brilliant for me and hopefully I can sign for another year and get some more.

“After all the trophies I have won and great memories I’ve had over the last seven years, it was a little scary and sad that I could have left.

“I don’t know (how many years I have at the top level). It is a tough League and very demanding, but I’m fit.”

Cole has also revealed that one of the reasons Chelsea have kept him on is to help Ryan Bertrand develop into his long-term replacement.

Bertrand has already won an England cap and played in Chelsea’s Champions League success last May, but the 23-year-old still has some improving to do to match Cole’s standards.

Cole (above) is determined to ensure his team-mate makes the step up and added on Chelsea TV: “I didn’t just sign because I wanted to play. There is a great player in Ryan and hopefully I can help him. If he gets more starts it will be good for the club to have two left backs here.

“I think it helps (having experienced players around the young players). I like to think I have helped Ryan in more ways than one.

“He deserves to be at a big club, he has improved a lot in the few years I’ve seen him and this year and next year is a chance for him to start more games.